Discovery of Second World War German U-boat wrecks to rewrite history books

London, July 4(ANI): The final resting places of six German U-boats sunk in the final months of the Second World War have finally been identified.

Maritime experts said that their discoveries would force historians to re-evaluate the battle for control of the Atlantic.

Evidence from the wrecks suggests many U-boats were sunk by mines rather than attacks by Allied air and naval forces, as had previously been believed.

The discoveries came from a survey of the western English Channel and adjacent areas, undertaken by the US firm Odyssey Marine Exploration.

Dr Axel Niestle, a German U-boat historian involved in the project, said: "It is a fine example of successful teamwork between marine archaeologists and historians rewriting naval history."

"The underwater photography gave us an unparalleled opportunity to learn how different types of Second World War anti-submarine weaponry worked," The Telegraph quoted Niestle, as saying.

One submarine, the U-400, previously believed sunk by Royal Navy depth charges south of Cork in Ireland, has now been identified off the coast of north Cornwall.

The German sub was on its very first patrol in December 1944 when it hit a mine, underwater photography suggests. (ANI)